‘Commentary’ Archives
Levels of Consciousness
By Peter Molenaar Let us recall that the realm of philosophy is divided into two camps. ”˜Philosophical Materialism”' asserts that the universe existed prior to consciousness, whereas “idealists” believe the universe was created from consciousness. Curiously, the Buddhists among us avoid the mind-body question, choosing instead to seek liberation via introspective meditation. (Note: some degree of ascetic detachment is recommended.) “Complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings” is the noble goal of the Mahayana. However, more than two thousand years of this practice hasn”'t achieved very much. So, we must agree with the Marxists that there is a material basis for human liberation”¦which is not to say that the “subjective factor” does not matter. When acted upon, ideas do become a material force. On the subject of “levels of consciousness,” Lenin had much to say. In [...]
Counterpoint Commentary: “Fitness for CEPRO”*
By Rand Retterath The CEPRO property is the site of the former grain elevators along the Greenway between 10th and 11th Ave and 28th and 29th St. A lot of discussion went into that property . It”'s disposition affected the Midtown Block Club in a major way. The block club lost neighbors who had spent a lifetime in their home, others who had been in their homes over 50 years, a husband and wife who did major work with First Nation”'s both in town and among area reservations, the block club lost a much needed for-profit business that supported the community and it lost a charter school. The members of Midtown Block Club were and to some extent still are a close knit community, formed and coalesced by a couple of formidable women who gathered to protest against prostitution, crimes against women and quality of life issues. As a block club, they recognized that no one wanted responsibility for the CEPRO site.  No one had the resources. The Greenway [...]
